Ever since Taylor Swift vowed to stay out of the public eye, she’s largely kept that promise. Well, her exact words were, “As far as I know I'm only doing one show in 2017, and as far as I know, this is that show,” spoken during a pre-Super Bowl concert in February. So that’s maybe less of a vow and more of a calendar update. Regardless. In October 2015 she ventured this thought: "I think I should take some time off. I think people might need a break from me.” And then, off-the-record, she told Kanye West in the infamous call tapes, “I’m like this close to overexposure.”

Like many celebrities before her, Taylor recognized that it was possible to be too famous. But unlike many of them, she took action to fix it, and then actually kept her word.

Fourth of July came and went without her annual Rhode Island celebration, known colloquially as Taymerica. The only photos of the star released publicly since the February concert have been taken with new boyfriend Joe Alwyn, and they’re grainy, as if taken with an incredibly long lens. (Unlike, say, the remarkably sharp paparazzi photos that first introduced Taylor and Tom Hiddleston to the world.) There’s the one on a Nashville balcony and the one supposedly boarding her jet in the U.K. The only social media we’ve seen from her is in service of her friends’ music releases—one Instagram for each, Selena Gomez, the sisters Haim, and Lorde, plus a small video shout-out to Russell Westbrook, this past N.B.A. season’s M.V.P., and a word of support tweeted after the Manchester bombing.

So enamored were we with the idea that Swift has been acing the laying low directive that when a Splash News paparazzi claimed the singer was carried out of her Tribeca apartment in a big box, it didn’t feel completely beyond the realm of possibility (the photo service since retracted the claim). And now, for further proof that Taylor Swift is still committed to giving the world a breather from Taylor Swift, compare what going to the gym in 2016 looks like to what going to the gym in 2017 looks like:

From left, by Raymond Hall/GC Images, by NCP/Star Max/GC Images, by Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto, from Backgrid.

Swift is known for her creative paparazzi-avoidancetactics, like walking backward so they can’t train their lens on her face. But all these hoodies and grainy photos just go to show that if the most famous people in the world don’t wish to be seen, they won’t be seen. Swift is no exception, and it’s unlikely we’ll see her until she ready for us to see her—with an album in tow.

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At the 2006 C.M.A. Awards when she was just 16, Taylor Swift was a fresh face. Her curls were slightly 80s, but she definitely stood out.

Photo: by Rick Diamond/WireImage.

By 2007, Swift started gaining fame and with it a nomination as one of the A.M.A.’s favorite female country artists. Here, she paired cowgirl boots with a satin shift dress—not quite a clear winner (nor was she, in the competition) but a definite step in the right direction.

Photo: by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

Aiming for a glamorous look for 2007’s Country Music Association Awards, Swift’s southern-gal gown didn’t so much say, “Belle of the ball,” as “Belle from Beauty and the Beast.” Still, her elegant hair and jewelry were making definite strides.

Photo: by Frank Mullen/WireImage.

At 19, Swift snagged a best-new-artist nomination from the 2008 Grammy Awards—and a demure lavender gown custom-made for her by Sandi Spika.

Photo: by Steve Granitz/WireImage.

Swift began another year of style (and hair) transformations at the 2016 Grammys in an Atelier Versace bandeau top and floor-length skirt, while also debuting her new blunt bob.

Photo: From Getty Images.

While walking the red carpet at Vanity Fair’s Oscars party, Swift showed off what may be her sexiest look to date. Her couture Alexandre Vauthier gown included a thigh-high slit and a neckline that just barely missed her belly button.

Photo: From Getty Images.

After chopping off even more of her hair for her May 2016 Vogue cover, Swift took it to the next step by dyeing it bleach blonde. She kept up the edge for her hosting duties at the Met Gala, where she wore a silver cutout Louis Vuitton dress, paired with lace-up sandals and a dark lip.

Photo: From Getty Images.

At the 2006 C.M.A. Awards when she was just 16, Taylor Swift was a fresh face. Her curls were slightly 80s, but she definitely stood out.

by Rick Diamond/WireImage.

By 2007, Swift started gaining fame and with it a nomination as one of the A.M.A.’s favorite female country artists. Here, she paired cowgirl boots with a satin shift dress—not quite a clear winner (nor was she, in the competition) but a definite step in the right direction.

by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

Aiming for a glamorous look for 2007’s Country Music Association Awards, Swift’s southern-gal gown didn’t so much say, “Belle of the ball,” as “Belle from Beauty and the Beast.” Still, her elegant hair and jewelry were making definite strides.

by Frank Mullen/WireImage.

At 19, Swift snagged a best-new-artist nomination from the 2008 Grammy Awards—and a demure lavender gown custom-made for her by Sandi Spika.

by Steve Granitz/WireImage.

For her 2009 best-female-video win for “You Belong with Me,” Swift wore a sensational Kaufmanfranco dress to the MTV Video Music Awards, guaranteeing that she belonged on the red carpet. Forget pop princess—here, she’s a Grecian goddess.

by CHANCE YEH/PatrickMcMullan.com.

As the queen of red-carpet rebounds, Swift wore this sultry, midnight-blue Kaufmanfranco gown post-breakup with actor Taylor Lautner. Despite her angst, Swift swept up four awards at the 2010 Grammys, including album of the year and best country album.

by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

For her red-carpet appearances, Swift has been known to alternate between soft and structured silhouettes. For the 2010 Met Ball, Swift arrived in a lacy Ralph Lauren gown with exposed shoulders, revealing a sweet yet seductive side to her fans.

By BILLY FARRELL/PatrickMcMullan.com.

Showing more red-carpet versatility and the ability to work a train, Swift chose this dramatic J. Mendel Couture gown for the 2011 Met Ball.

By CHANCE YEH/PatrickMcMullan.com.

Swift made a daring risk at the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar party by shedding the conservative hemlines in this Zuhair Murad mini-dress—a win indeed.

From Fairchild Archive.

After the success of her 2010 album, Speak Now, Swift was awarded entertainer of the year by the Academy of Country Music. She accepted the prestigious award in a flowing, embellished Elie Saab Couture gown perfectly fitting for her triumph.

by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic.

Ever a red-carpet chameleon, Swift mixed it up in this peach J. Mendel mini-dress for the 2011 People’s Choice Awards.

by Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic.

At the following year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, Swift was awarded, yet again, Entertainer of the Year. Swift’s single “Mean” was also nominated for best video at the ceremony. Note the white-hot J. Mendel gown, the bangs, and how the fierce waves of the dress match her blond hair.

by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

Emboldened to take risks in her old age (that’s a joke, people), Swift chose this sleek J. Mendel suit for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards.

by ANDREAS BRANCH/patrickmcmullan.com.

Starting off her year right, Swift was nominated for a Golden Globe for her original song for 2012’s The Hunger Games. The odds were in her favor in this sultry Donna Karan Atelier gown.

Embracing this new boldness, Swift rocks a short, beaded Elie Saab dress in a silhouette that works extremely well for her, at the 2013 N.R.J. Music Awards in Cannes.

by Francois Durand/Getty Images.

The former country-music heroine secured her status as a worldwide music and style icon by accepting the International Artist Award at the 40 Principales Awards 2013 in Madrid.

From Europa Press/Getty Images.

At the 2013 Grammys, Swift gave us a return to full-on Grecian glamour in a pleated J. Mendel gown. It’s hard to believe that someone can look this flawless in the aftermath of a breakup—but we guess that’s why they write breakup songs, isn’t it? For all kinds of closure, except the type that gets in the way of a fierce, revealing dress.

by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic.

At the following year’s awards ceremony, Swift wore a Gucci chain-mail gown, paving the way for Bella Hadid and Kim Kardashian West to follow suit years later.

From Getty Images.

After dropping her music video for “Shake It Off,” the lead single from her now platinum album 1989, Swift arrived at the MTV Video Music Awards a week later wearing a surprising Mary Katrantzou bodysuit. But 1989-era Taylor Swift was just getting started.

From Getty Images.

After performing at the 2014 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, Swift brought sexiness and glamour to the pink carpet, while also doing her best Angelina Jolie leg.

From Getty Images.

For the 2015 Grammys, Swift turned in her crystal gowns for a teal ombré Elie Saab dress with magenta heels.

From Getty Images.

Continuing her 2015 style transformation, she arrived on the red carpet for the Billboard Music Awards in a white Balmain jumpsuit, featuring a plunging neckline and multiple cutouts.

From Getty Images.

Then there was the 2015 V.M.A.s, where Swift went home with the most awards of the night, including video of the year for “Bad Blood.” With her squad in tow, she sparkled in a matching Ashish crop top and cinched pants.

From Getty Images.

Swift began another year of style (and hair) transformations at the 2016 Grammys in an Atelier Versace bandeau top and floor-length skirt, while also debuting her new blunt bob.

From Getty Images.

While walking the red carpet at Vanity Fair’s Oscars party, Swift showed off what may be her sexiest look to date. Her couture Alexandre Vauthier gown included a thigh-high slit and a neckline that just barely missed her belly button.

From Getty Images.

After chopping off even more of her hair for her May 2016 Vogue cover, Swift took it to the next step by dyeing it bleach blonde. She kept up the edge for her hosting duties at the Met Gala, where she wore a silver cutout Louis Vuitton dress, paired with lace-up sandals and a dark lip.